Taft Museum

This former home of Nicholas Longworth and Charles Taft has long played an important role in the history of Cincinnati.  Built in 1820 it is the oldest building in downtown Cincinnati. This Federal style building was home to Nicholas Longworth who developed the hill behind his property (now Mt. Adams) into a vineyard to produce grapes for his then famous Catawba sparkling wine.

Longworth built an amazing building in top of the hill for his daughter to create the world famous Rookwood Pottery Company. The wealthy and political Taft family purchased the property in 1873 and owned it until 1929.  William H. Taft accepted his presidential nomination at the building in 1908.  The Tafts donated the home and most of their art collection to the city of Cincinnati in 1927.

It now is one of the finest historic house museums in the country, housing famous European paintings, fine early American paintings, and fabulous murals by Robert Duncanson painted directly on its walls.  They also have fine collections of Chinese porcelains, European decorative arts, and much more.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Lytle Park Historic District.  The Museum is always featuring special exhibits that give a fresh look to the museum with its amazing art collections.

Full-size art prints and more photographs of the Taft Museum are available as a part of my Cincinnati Collection.